Hamilton targets first ‘real’ Austrian Grand Prix victory

By Niall Clarke

Hamilton has a 17 point lead on teammate and nearest rival Nico Rosberg

Lewis Hamilton has won many Austrian Grand Prix’s in the virtual world, but this time he targets victory for real.

The race was always one of his favourites on the old Formula one video games, but an 11 year absence of the race has meant Hamilton has only had one attempt to guide his Mercedes around the Red Bull Ring.

Qualifying ninth, the Brit put in a commendable race last year but ultimately had to settle for second place behind team mate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton will be hoping that second time will be his charm this weekend.

The 30-year-old leads the championship by 17 points ahead of Rosberg with four race wins so far this season.

The German looked to be closing the gap after back to back wins in Spain and Monaco, but Hamilton halted his team-mates momentum by claiming his fourth Canadian Grand Prix victory two weeks ago.

Hamilton will now be looking to replicate his video game achievements to claim a fifth win of the season, and in the process extend his championship lead.

Fellow Brit Jenson Button continues to struggle at the opposite end of the grid, with no end to McLaren’s problems in sight.

Team mate Fernando Alonso has warned that life for the team will get even worse, claiming that their Canadian grand prix performance made them ‘look like amatuers’. Button will be hoping that on this occasion he can bring his McLaren Honda to the finish line after the Brit and his teammate were forced to retire in Canada.

The Austrian grand prix qualifying will take place on Saturday. The race will take place on Sunday.